Strapping and closure system for an article of footwear
First Claim
1. An article of footwear, comprising:
- a sole;
an upper extending from said sole, said upper including a heel area, a midfoot area and an instep region;
a pair of heel straps, each heel strap having a first end fixedly attached on opposing sides of the article of footwear and a second end configured to cross over said heel area of said upper and extend upwardly and forwardly toward said midfoot area, wherein said second ends are configured to receive laces therethrough;
an instep piece fixedly attached to the article of footwear and extending upwardly on inner medial and lateral sides of said upper;
a plurality of instep straps, each having a first end fixedly attached to said instep piece and a second end configured to receive laces therethrough; and
a shroud fixedly attached to the base of said upper and extending upwardly about said heel area, said midfoot area, and said instep region above a top portion of said upper.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An article of footwear including a strapping and closure system providing additional support to a wearer'"'"'s ankles and feet. The system includes a pair of heel straps fixedly attached to opposing sides of the article of footwear and includes an instep piece that is also fixedly attached to the article of footwear. The heel straps and the instep piece are not fixedly attached to an upper of the article of footwear, but are fixedly attached to a lasting board of the article of footwear, thereby allowing the heel straps and the instep piece to be tightened independently of an upper of the article of footwear. The article of footwear further includes a breathable piece of material or shroud attached to a base of the upper for protecting the upper from mud and dirt.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. An article of footwear, comprising:
-
a sole; an upper extending from said sole, said upper including a heel area, a midfoot area and an instep region; a pair of heel straps, each heel strap having a first end fixedly attached on opposing sides of the article of footwear and a second end configured to cross over said heel area of said upper and extend upwardly and forwardly toward said midfoot area, wherein said second ends are configured to receive laces therethrough; an instep piece fixedly attached to the article of footwear and extending upwardly on inner medial and lateral sides of said upper; a plurality of instep straps, each having a first end fixedly attached to said instep piece and a second end configured to receive laces therethrough; and a shroud fixedly attached to the base of said upper and extending upwardly about said heel area, said midfoot area, and said instep region above a top portion of said upper. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An article of footwear, comprising:
-
a sole; an upper extending from said sole, said upper including a heel area, a midfoot area and an instep region; a lasting board disposed above said sole; a pair of heel straps each having a first end fixedly attached to said lasting board on opposing sides of the article of footwear and a second end having a loop for receiving laces therethrough, said second ends of said pair of heel straps crossing over said heel area of said upper and extending upwardly and forwardly toward said midfoot area, wherein said second ends are disposed underneath a slit formed on either side of said upper; an instep piece fixedly attached to said lasting board and extending upwardly on inner medial and lateral sides of said upper; a plurality of instep straps, each having a first end fixedly attached to said instep piece and a second end being looped through holes formed in said midfoot area of said upper and configured to receive laces therethrough; and a shroud fixedly attached to the base of said upper and extending upwardly about said heel area, said midfoot area, and said instep region above a top portion of said upper. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
-
Specification